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A glorious treasure trove of encouragement, that we might grow closer to God in prayer.More than 500 of the best quotes on this vital spiritual disciplineFrom 106 Christian writers spanning 17 centuriesPlus more than 180 Bible versesPainstakingly curated, organized, and assembled into 50 practical and theological topicsClassic writers such as Thomas Brooks, Richard Baxter, William Gurnall, Oliver Heywood, Octavius Winslow, Horatius Bonar, C.H. Spurgeon, J.C. Ryle, Andrew Murray, and many more. Plus a Foreword by Tim Challies.Pathway to Prayer is a unique and beautiful volume, every page packed with profound encouragement and timeless insight. An extraordinary labor of love-and a multi-year project for author M.J. Hancock, a long-time missionary to Cambodia-this book can help lead Christians into deeper and more meaningful times of prayer and intercession.Lean into your quiet time. Learn directly from the hard-won wisdom of many of the most devoted, prayerful Christians throughout church history. People who often struggled with their worship and devotions but nevertheless pressed on in faith, confident that God would meet them, mature them, and guide them in his perfect will.Whether it's jump-starting a stalled prayer life or broadening and deepening a mature one, Pathway to Prayer brings invaluable direction and guidance from what is truly the wisdom of the ages. For the full experience read it straight through, stopping regularly to meditate on the wisdom that leaps off the page, or selectively dip into any of the 50 topical sections for a laser focus on a particular area of need.

This study covers the entire book of Galatians in 16 lessons and is ideal for personal or group use. All our Bible studies are meant to be written in extensively, so they have lots of extra white space and are spiral-bound for ease of use. The Sophron Studies are endorsed by Kevin DeYoung (Senior Pastor, Christ Covenant Church, Matthews, NC; Assistant Professor of Systematic Theology, Reformed Theological Seminary, Charlotte) and Karen Hodge (Coordinator of Women's Ministries, Presbyterian Church in America). This new series is edited by Keri Folmar, author of the Delight in the Word Bible study series. Welcome to a reformed, inductive, in-depth approach to the study of God's word. Sophron ("so-frone") is the Greek word for a sound mind, self-controlled, and temperate. It is curbing one's desires and impulses. As believers, we need to be women who study and delight in God and his word, women who train to have a mind centered on God and renewed by truth (Romans 12:1-2).

As we begin this study of Paul's letter to Titus, we should think through why we are studying the Bible. Why not read some other book? Or why not just get together with some other women and chat? Well, have you heard the story about the kindergarten teacher who had her class paint pictures of anything they chose? After observing a little girl who was working very intently on her painting, the teacher asked, "What are you painting?" The girl answered, "It's a picture of God." Amused, the teacher informed her, "No one knows what God looks like." Without looking up from her painting, the little girl responded, "They will in a minute!" This might be a cute example of a precocious child, but many people paint pictures of God in their own minds. They "know" that God is a certain way, because they want him to be that way. However, the one true God is transcendent. He is beyond our capacity to know. First Timothy 6:16 describes God, "[W]ho alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see." God existed before time. He is the Creator, and we are his creatures. Sinful man cannot approach the holy God.How can we know this God if we cannot approach him? He has to approach us. The only way to truly know God is for him to reveal himself to us. He reveals his existence and power in creation. (See Psalm 19 and Romans 1:18"€"21.) However, if we want to truly know God in a personal way, it must be through his Word. And God wants us, his creatures, to know him. Jeremiah 10:23"€"24 says:Thus says the Lord: "Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth."

This Bible study workbook is designed to assist you in examining the second half of the Gospel of Mark in an inductive way. Inductive study means to read the passage in context and ask questions of the text with the purpose of deriving the meaning and significance from the text itself. We do this automatically every day when we read the newspaper, blogs, or even recipes. When we study the Bible inductively we are after the author's original intent; i.e., what the author meant when he wrote the passage to his original audience. In this workbook, you will unpack the meaning by answering a series of questions about the text, paying close attention to the words and context of the passage. After discovering the meaning of the text, there will be questions to help you apply it to your life.

"With simple clarity, Keri Folmar guides us in learning to study the Bible]€]Keri encourages us to read God's Word carefully, to understand clearly, and to apply prayerfully]€]she encourages her readers first and foremost to listen well to God's inspired Word." -Kathleen Nielson, author of the Living Word Bible Studies; Director of Women's Initiatives, The Gospel Coalition; and wife of Niel, who served as President of Covenant College, 2002 to 2012. "Keri's Bible study will not only bring the truths of [Scripture] to bear upon your life, but will also train you up for better, more effective study of any book of the Bible with her consistent use of the three questions needed in all good Bible study: Observation, Interpretation, and Application." -Connie Dever, author of The Praise Factory children's ministry curriculum and wife of Mark, senior pastor of Capitol Hill Baptist Church and President of 9Marks. "It is hard to imagine a better inductive Bible study tool than this one. So many study tools wander from the biblical text, but Keri Folmar's study concentrates on what [the biblical author] says... unfolding its message with accuracy and clarity." -Diane Schreiner, wife of SBTS professor, author, and pastor Tom Schreiner and mother of four grown children, has led women's Bible studies for more than 20 years. "Keri is convinced that God is God-centered and that for the sake of our joy, we should be, too]€]She skillfully created these rich resources"€"and not only that, she has put the tools in your hands so you can study God's word for yourself]€]I highly recommend that you embark on these studies with some other ladies. Then you can all watch in amazement at how God gives you contentment in him." -Gloria Furman, pastor's wife in the Middle East, and author of Glimpses of Grace, Treasuring Christ When Your Hands Are Full, and The Pastor's Wife.

This is one of the few truly inductive Bible studies for women by a woman. Its main focus is on helping the reader understand what the author was saying to the original readers, the starting point for all fruitful study of Scripture. This 10-week study covers all of Ephesians, is ideal for personal or group use, and is one of three such studies from Keri Folmar. These studies are meant to be written in, so they have lots of extra white space and are spiral-bound for ease of use. "With simple clarity, Keri Folmar guides us in learning to study the Bible...she encourages us to read God's Word carefully, understand clearly, and apply prayerfully...she encourages her readers to listen well to God's inspired Word." - Kathleen Nielson is author of the Living Word Bible Studies; Director of Women's Initiatives, The Gospel Coalition; and wife of Niel, who served as President of Covenant College from 2002 to 2012. "We have no greater need than to hear and obey and love the Word of God. Keri Folmar's Bible studies are specifically designed to help you do just that." - Gloria Furman is a pastor's wife in the Middle East, and an author.

James is a letter written to a suffering church to spur them on to live authentic lives of faith. Faith: A Bible Study on James for Women guides you in an in-depth study of the letter of James. One of the few truly inductive Bible studies written for women, Faith will impress the truths of James upon your heart and equip you to more effectively study any book of the Bible. With each week's chapter divided into sections for five days of study, it can be used as a tool for personal devotions or to guide discussion among groups of any size. Studying James using this resource will cause you to delight in the Scriptures and encourage you to live more effectively for Jesus and his gospel.

This Bible study will not only bring the truths of Philippians to bear upon your life, but will also train you up for better, more effective study of any book of the Bible with consistent use of the three questions needed in all good Bible study: Observation, Interpretation, and Application.

When the word of Christ falls on good soil, the results will astound. That's why there's a surprising glory in leading a group of ordinary people to simply open their Bibles, read what's on the page, and discuss how God might use these words to change the world. Yet too many small group leaders hesitate to try such a method without professional guidance from a curriculum or study guide. This book will inspire and equip believers in Christ to lead fruitful and engaging small groups where God's Word is read, discussed, and put to direct use to transform lives. This book will equip leaders to open the valve on this living water so thirsty souls can drink their fill.Perhaps you've begun to learn how to study the Bible for yourself, and you've wondered whether you could competently lead others in Bible study. This book provides the vision and skills you need to start a group, develop good preparation habits, conduct a persuasive discussion, and shepherd group members through what they're learning.This book will serve lay leaders and Bible teachers who have any degree of experience. Some will gain confidence to lead their first Bible study that brings a neighbor to Christ. Others will learn to draw more deeply on the power of interaction, thereby overcoming their penchant for dominating conversations. All will discover the surprising glory and astounding fruit borne from leading a group of ordinary people to open their Bibles, read what's on the page, and discuss how God might use these words to change the world.

A fresh, biblical paradigm for choosing a spouse. Done with dating? Don't know where to start? Here are 12 questions that help you confidently make the huge decision about whom to marry.

Great works by some of the world's best fiction writers have nevertheless gone largely unnoticed. Unfortunate timing in the marketplace, inadequate distribution, and changes in public taste are just a few of the reasons for this. Yet many of these works can be as enjoyable and meaningful as far more famous books. Cruciform Press is excited to begin publishing some forgotten classics of special interest to those who enjoy fiction that intelligently explores matters of faith.This edition of Haunted Man, by Charles Dickens, has been abridged significantly to make it more enjoyable for modern readers, while retaining every essential element of the story. It also includes an introduction with character descriptions and other helpful information, and a thought-provoking afterword discussing some of the spiritual issues addressed by the book.A college professor named Redlaw is a good man plagued by bad memories of a traumatic childhood, compounded by a terrible betrayal and loss during his young adulthood. When an ethereal demonic doppelganger of himself appears and offers to wipe away those memories, Redlaw eagerly accepts, and also receives the ability to spread this "gift" to others.Featuring the breathless suspense, colorful characters, and witty humor that has made Dickens such a beloved author, the story also tackles some of the deepest philosophical and theological questions ever raised in his writings. His answer to "the problem of evil" is of both literary and religious interest.

True happiness isn't found. It finds you.We think of our chase for joy as a fundamental right-and it's no surprise. By nature we are pleasure-seekers, though chronically unsuccessful at finding the type of joy that will endure for more than a passing moment.But what if long-lasting joy isn't found at all? What if the deepest and most durable happiness breaks into our lives, overcomes our boredom, and ultimately finds us? What if true joy is out of our reach, but reaches for us? What if joy goes deeper than the flimsy foundations of organized day planners, thinned-out closets, freshly painted walls, or a perfectly followed gym routine? What if joy is not found at the end of a to-do list? What if joy is not governed by the personality assigned to me by the lottery of my genetic heritage? What if Aristotle, when he said my happiness depends on me, was fundamentally wrong?To say it another way: What if I told you someone else was more concerned for your joy than you could ever be? What if this person has been planning your joy since before you were born? Would you believe me, or would you write me off as a well-meaning but ignorant religious optimist?If you'll hear me out, I want to share with you a true story of inescapable happiness.The Joy Project is a story that reminds us we are characters in God's unfolding cosmic story. God has written our joy into a script, and what he planned for us we can hardly imagine. The Joy Project is the heartbeat of Scripture. Neglect the Bible, and you neglect God's Joy Project, and you neglect your own joy. The Joy Project is the boldest story ever told. It will shock you, then it will bewilder you, and then it will plunge you into an ocean of divine love.

Plan to Run, Train to Run...Run to WinAnyone can start a race, but it takes planning and training to finish it.A good long-distance runner knows the importance of planning his race. As he passes the starting line he is already considering how he will cross the finish line. As he takes his first easy step, he has planned how he will take his last grueling step.As a Christian man, you are already running the race of life. You are not competing against other people, but against the deadly enemies of the world, the flesh, and the devil. How do you plan to maintain your pace throughout this race? To obtain the prize, you will need to run to the very end. You will need to cross that finish line. And to do that, you will need to plan your race. You will need to plan the ways you will run today so you can continue to run in the difficult days ahead. That is what this book is all about.

How can young adults make the best use of these years? Be like Jesus and advance!…in wisdom, stature, and favor with God and man.Your teens and 20s will be put to the best and highest use if you make them a time of sanctification. Even now you can make bold steps in overcoming sin and embracing righteousness.The Christian faith rises and falls upon this remarkable fact: God became man. Even Jesus had to grow from a baby to an adult, from immaturity to maturity. Even he had to submit to his parents and advance in wisdom, stature, and favor with both God and man.Advance! is my call to teens and young adults to learn from Jesus and make these years a time of deliberate preparation for the rest of life. I plead with you to use these years not first to focus on outward accomplishments that might shape the world, but inward achievements that will shape your character. In short, I call on you to be like Jesus.-Tim Challies

God wants your heart. The whole Bible teaches truth and awakens emotions, but the Psalms are in a category of their own. They do not just awaken heart; they put it in the foreground. They do not just invite our emotions to respond to God's truth; they put our emotions on display.The Psalms are not just commanding; they are contagious. We are not just listening to profound ideas and feelings. We are living among them in their overflow. We touch pillows wet with tears. We hear and feel the unabashed cries of affliction, shame, regret, grief, anger, discouragement, and turmoil. But what makes all this stunningly different from the sorrows of the world is that all of it-absolutely all of it-is experienced in relation to the totally sovereign God.This book is an invitation. God wants our hearts. He will take them as he finds them. And then, with the healing contagion of the Psalms, he will shape them. Accept his invitation to come.

How does the Bible instruct us as we grow older? Age gracefully, age wisely, age resolutely to the glory of God.There are few longings in my heart deeper than this: that God would let me live a godly, purposeful, dignified old age. I mean to encourage us both to age gracefully, to age wisely, to age resolutely to God's glory.We are all aging. We are passing through time until we reach the end of our time. We soon learn that greater age brings greater sorrow but also greater joy, especially to those who are in Christ.To age gracefully we must age in Christ and for Christ. What does it look like to age gracefully? What do we need to be doing now to ensure we finish this race strong?These are questions for all Christians, young and old. Thankfully the Bible speaks clearly about how to age and how to age well. Join me in exploring what the Bible has to say about age and aging and learn how we can all hear those beautiful words, "well done, good and faithful servant."-Tim Challies

A commandment from God. A commandment with a promise. A commandment we forgot.We are all children, we ought to pursue God's blessings, and we need to give prominence to God's prominent command: Honor your father and your mother. For these reasons, we can no longer ignore the forgotten Fifth Commandment.This commandment is not just for children. Rather, it pertains to the whole of life and to every person of every age. In the home, the church, and the workplace, it provides a stable foundation for all of society. Yet, we often neglect it and fail to appreciate its relevance to our lives. It is the commandment we forgot.This booklet is a brief exploration of the Fifth Commandment: Honor your father and your mother. It answers important questions relevant to every Christian: Does this commandment expire when we move out of our parents' home and gain our independence? Does it cease being relevant once we are married? Is obedience synonymous with honor? Do we need to be prepared to provide for them financially? What if our parents are especially difficult or unworthy of respect?My hope is that this booklet will restore the centrality of the fifth commandment, even and especially to adults. Let's look together to the Bible and, ultimately, to Jesus Christ as the perfect fulfillment of the commandment we forgot.-Tim Challies

Learn to be a model of Christian maturity.D.A. Carson has pointed out that the list of qualifications for elders is "remarkable for being unremarkable." Why? Because these traits are repeated elsewhere as qualities that ought to characterize all believers.Are you growing in godliness? How would you even know?A good place to begin is understanding and imitating the character qualifications the Bible lays out for elders. While elders are meant to exemplify these traits, all Christians are to display them. And, with just one exception, each of them is related to character.Join me as I explore the Bible to consider how we can better exemplify the highest Christian virtues. As we consider the character of the Christian, we will spur one another on to love, good works, and Christlikeness.-Tim Challies

Don''t try to do it all. Do more good. Better.I am no productivity guru. I am a writer, a church leader, a husband, and a father with many responsibilities and with new tasks coming at me all the time.I wrote this short, fast-paced, practical guide to productivity to share what I have learned about getting things done in today''s digital world. Whether you are a student or a professional, a work-from-home dad or a stay-at-home mom, it will help you learn to structure your life to do the most good to the glory of God.In Do More Better, you will learn:> Common obstacles to productivity> The great purpose behind productivity> 3 essential tools for getting things done> The power of daily and weekly routines> And much more, including bonus material on taming your email and 20 tips I have learned along the way.It really is possible to live a calm and orderly life, sure of your responsibilities and confident in your progress.You can do more better. And I would love to help you get there.-Tim Challies

At one time or another, most Christians struggle with depression, discouragement, or despondency. When this happens, spiritual joy is the great need. William Farley has written a practical book to help flawed human beings discover and implement the secret to spiritual joy.The author contends that the gospel is the key to a life overflowing with joy. That is because a right understanding of the gospel produces the humility that motivates a life of continual thanksgiving. A heart humbled by the gospel is the well from which stressed believer can draw the gratitude that generates spiritual joy.This book also examines common joy-killers like grumbling, complaining, boasting, and self-pity, and provides practical suggestions for conquering them. Such attitudes cannot co-exist in a heart saturated with gospel-gratitude. Ultimately, a clear grasp of the cross is the secret to spiritual joy.